The console is the text output device for system administration messages. These messages come from the kernel, from the init system and from the system logger. On modern small computers the console is usually the computer's attached monitor and keyboard. The LinkStation, however, doesn't have monitor output; instead, it uses a serial connection for console output. Not only does the serial console provide valuable debugging output, it also allows root access!

Stage 2 - Attach Header to the Board

Solder the PCB header to J1 so that the pinouts face towards the IDE header:

J1 Pinout

Pin

Signal

1

Transmit (TX)

2

Receive (RX)

3

Power (3.3V)*

4

Ground (GND)

Stage 3 - Enable Full Serial Tx/Rx

To enable write support across the serial port, remove the 10K ohm pullup resistor from R75 and install it , or another 10K ohm pullup resistor, to R76.

Desoldering Tip

To desolder an SMD resistor you can apply the following trick:

Take a short piece of blank wire and bend one end into a small U-shape using some small pliers. The U-shape should be as such that you can touch the sides of both ends of the resistor at the same time. The width of the U should basically be the length of the resistor.

Wrap the other end of the wire around the tip of your soldering iron - while it is still cold. You now have a small U-shaped tool to remove the resistor.

Heat up the iron. When the wire is hot enough, heat up the solder at both ends of the resistor and gently pull the resistor away from the pads with the U-shaped tip. Be careful, the resistor likes to end up on the floor.

Stage 4 - The Serial Converter

Buy One

The serial port signals from the processor are only 3.3V. For proper RS-232 5V signaling, an RS-232 level shifter needs to be added. These are very common in PDA serial cables also, but can be purchased from
SuperDroid Robots (#MCU-026-172) or CompSys (#A232DBH3v).